Fall is here in Colorado, with sixty degree weather and leaf-strewn sidewalks as far as the eye can see. I’ve discussed my joy of raking leaves in another post, so I won’t cover it again except to say that it’s the only kind of yard work I enjoy. There’s something about finishing a chore and then heading inside for a little seasonal treat, whether it’s a bite of Halloween chocolate or a dram of whisky.
It’s also been about a month since Company of Ghosts came out, and I’m enjoying watching the reviews trickle in. Most are from friends or family, but I’ve seen one or two from complete strangers, which is cool. If you’ve picked up a copy, consider this your reminder that reviews are how unknown authors get discovered. People are more likely to take a chance on something with a few stars attached to it, so click the button and leave a short review if you have a moment.
For anyone who’s worried about hurting my feelings with a negative review, consider that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Your “slow pace” might be someone else’s “slow burn.” Your “poorly explained magic system” might sound perfect for someone who’s tired of spreadsheets and elaborate diagrams.
I’ve read books on the basis of a two-star review because all of the reviewer’s negatives sounded like positives to me. I’ve avoided books on the basis of a five-star review because I knew I didn’t have the same taste in books as the reviewer.
And at the end of the day, I’d much rather have 100 reviews with a 3.9 average than 10 reviews with a 4.9 average. I’m writing book two anyway, and nothing you say is going to stop me, so you may as well say what you think.
SPEAKING OF BOOK TWO
This is a question I’ve been fielding a lot lately, so this is probably a good time to give a quick breakdown of the planned series.
Will there be a series?
Yes. I have four books planned with ideas for one or two more. Each book is intended as a potential stopping point, so there are no unresolved plots or cliffhangers at the end of any book. If you feel like stopping after book one, that’s fine. If I kick the bucket after writing book three, the series will be considered “finished” at three books.
There’s no need to wait until all of the books are out, and no pressure to read more than you feel like reading.
Will each book follow the same characters?
Yes and no. The goal for the series is to cover roughly a century of historically significant events in this fictional setting. Since each book is diegetic, it would be impossible for one person to write them all.
Instead, each book will take place in the aftermath of the previous book. Major characters from book one will be minor characters in book two. Events in book two will naturally lead into the starting point for book three.
What does “diegetic” mean?
It’s most commonly used in reference to musical scores. When you hear the Jaws theme, that music is for the benefit of the audience. The shark attack victims don’t hear it (and would probably act very differently if they did). When you hear “La Marseillaise” in Casablanca, it exists within that scene. You’re hearing it because the characters are hearing it.
By the same token, if you ventured into the Library in Sharme, you could find a copy of Company of Ghosts somewhere on the shelves. Everything between the title page and THE END was written by the principal narrator, and at least a few of the people in book two have probably read book one.
A good example of this is Glen Cook’s The Black Company series, which spans a few decades and makes use of at least seven narrators. Canonically, the narrators are the ones who wrote the series, and if you snuck into one of their tents, you could read it in their handwriting.
Any other details?
How about some tentative titles?
Company of Ghosts (Autumn 2025)
The Hope and the Ruin (Summer 2027)
Everything Out of Season (Winter 2028)
As the Crane Flies (???)
What if I have other questions?
Ask them in the comments, and I’ll answer what I can.
Coming up next…
I’ll have another round of microfiction this Monday and probably a flash fiction toward the end of the month. I usually take the month of November off, but I may write a short newsletter if I have anything significant to share.
That’s all for now. Stay warm out there!